Improvement in sewing-machine casters



UNITED STATES PATENT CFEICE.

GEORGE B. MOR-TON, OF hIEh/IPHIS, TENNESSEE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEWING-MACHlNE CSTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No.152,241, dated June 23, 1874; application filed April 29, 1874.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, GEORGE B. MoRToN, of Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain .new and usefulv Improvements in Casters for and which may be rendered rigid or stationary by transferring the weight of the table from the axle to the circumference of the easter-wheel; and consists in the novel construction7 arrangement, and attachment of the caster and swiveled plate to the shaft,'

and the operation thereof by means of suitable cam-levers, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application.

In the drawings, Figure l shows the weight of the table resting on the axles of the casters. Fig. 2 shows the table resting on the circumference of the casters; and Fig. 3 are sectional detail views of a caster with the weight of the table on the axle and on the circumference.

a is the easter, and al its axle. a2 is the Y yoke ofthe caster, which has formed on its cross-plate the conical projection a3, which has formed within it the recess or sleeve e4 and round mortise a5. b is the swivel-shaft, on which the yoke c2 and other devices hereafter mentioned turn. It passes through the mortise e5 and extends slightly below the under side of the cross-plate of the yoke. It has firmly secured to it the boss or shoulderpiece b', which is so constructed that the sleeve a4 will nieve freely over it in the operation of the several devices. c is a curved plate pivoted to the lower end of the shaftv b, and fitting between the side plates of the yoke a2, immediately above the caster-wheel, and so that it turns with the caster on the shaft. It has the enlarged portion c', which is formed so as to it and turn readily in the sleeve ai, and which extends to and against the boss b.`r It has the extended arm c2, which reaches out over the top of the caster-wheel, so that its end is vertical, or nearly vertical, to the axle el. c3 is a rear lip or flange. d is a cuff moving freely on the shaft b, above the yoke a2. It is provided with a bearing or mortise in its side, in the projection d. c is a lever-arm, which extends vbetween the pair of casters at the end of the table. It has the extended side or cam c1 and operatinglever c2, and is journaled in the cuffs d. f is a bearing-plate, in which is rigidly fixed the shaft b, and against which the cam el bears in the act of lifting the table off the circumference ofthe wheel. This may be so constructed as to be capable of attachment to the leg of the table in any desired position.

When my device is in the position shown in Fig. l, the weight of the table rests on the axle of the caster, the table being supported through the medium of the cam c1 bearing against the plate j', and thus raising the shaft b Iand curved plate c, so as to permit the caster-wheel to turn free.

The cam being turned to a horizontal position, as in Fig. 2, the table descends and carries down the shaft b and curved plate c. The end c2, which is curved to correspond nearly with the curve of the wheel, is forced against the top of the wheel, where it is firmly held bythe lixed boss b pressing on the top c.

In this position, it will be seen that the yoke a2 is entirely relieved, and the weight of the table is removed from the axle al to the circumference of the wheel.

The weight of the table, resting on the curved plate c, which presses on the wheel,

will render smid wheel rigid and the table m'in e, emu c1, and operating-lever e2, as and irm in position. for the purpose set forth.

Having described my invention, what I In testimony that I claim the foregoing as claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, my own invention, I affix my signature in s- Y presence of two Witnesses.

1. The combination of the shaft b, having the boss b and curved plate c, with the eerst;A GEORGE B' MORTON' er a, as and for the purpose specified. Vtnesses:

2. The combination, with the bearing-plate J N o. M. CUNNINGHAM, f, yoke a?, and easter a, of the cuff d, lever- M. L. VOODS. 

